AU2016216739A1 - Debris guard and rain gutter - Google Patents

Abstract

A debris guard is described for retro-fitting to an existing rain gutter or integral with a newly-fabricated gutter which allows ingress of rain water to the gutter but significantly restricts the accumulation of leaves, twigs and otherwindblown debris within the gutter. The guard comprises an open channel portion (21) formed from a front face (23), an opposing rear face (24) and a lower face (25). A panel (26) covers the required length of the gutter (20). A front panel (27) depends from the leading edge of the cover panel (26) to overlap with the front face (23) of the gutter (20). The front panel (27) includes two linear rows (32,33) of evenly-spaced openings (34). Each opening (34) includes a tab (35) extending downwards and inwardly towards the rear face (24) of the gutter (20). In use, rain water runs off the roofing material onto the cover panel (26), down the front panel (27) and onto the front face of the tab (35) and then into the channel portion (21). Each opening (34) allows rain water to pass through but substantially prevents the passage of any leaves or other debris from the roof.

Description

ι 2016216739 20 Aug 2016

TITLE: DEBRIS GUARD AND RAIN GUTTER THIS INVENTION relates to rain gutters. In particular, it is directed to a rain gutter which includes a debris guard which allows ingress of rain water to the gutter but significantly restricts the accumulation of leaves, twigs and other windblown debris therein.

Throughout this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of the common general knowledge, or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

It is usually a legislative and/or cosmetic requirement that a domestic or commercial building includes a rain gutter assembly which directs rain falling off the roof of the building to a downpipe. Such an assembly is designed to protect the sides of the building from water damage and to prevent sheeting of water over any door and/or window opening. A typical gutter is of a trough-like configuration and affixed to a facia board or the like adjacent to the lower edge of the roofing material.

Leaves, twigs and other windblown debris are a continual problem in such gutters. The accumulation of debris therein eventually restricts the flow of rain 20 water into and out of the gutter, flowing over the outer rim of the gutter rendering the gutter ineffective. In the warmer seasons this debris can dry out to represent a fire hazard to the building.

Accordingly, a building owner has to ensure the regular removal of this debris if the gutter assembly is to remain effective. Typically, supported on a ladder, 2 2016216739 20 Aug 2016 a person removes the debris with an appropriate cleaning tool and, possibly, a hose to flush the debris along the gutter into the downpipe. This is not only time consuming but hazardous when cleaning a first story gutter and significantly even more hazardous when cleaning a second or more story gutter where the person often has to crawl on the roof to access the gutter. In view of this repetitious and potentially dangerous chore, the debris is often not removed.

Prior art solutions to the above-identified problems include the provision of some form of mesh covering the open upper region of the gutter. However, these meshes are necessarily open-weave which, although preventing the passage of larger debris therethrough, smaller diameter debris readily passes through into the gutter. Further, the open mesh itself eventually becomes blocked with debris and thus the ingress of water to the gutter is significantly restricted which consequently flows over the rim of the gutter - a disadvantage discussed above. Also, the fitting of the mesh to the gutter can be problematical. For example, some are simply a “drop in” fit into the trough of the gutter and thus are not a snug fitting which still allows entry of a significant quantity of debris into the gutter, or they require customised clips, brackets or hangers to instal which adds to the cost of the installation. 25

It is noted that all of these prior art solutions are for gutters with an open upper 20 region and, consequently, the various debris guards are fitted to substantially cover this open upper region but still allow rainwater to flow into the gutter via this same open upper region. The present inventor has recognised that the afore-mentioned disadvantages could be substantially addressed if the upper region of a gutter was no longer open but the gutter was still adapted to receive the rain water while substantially preventing the accumulation of debris therein. 3 2016216739 20 Aug 2016

It is thus a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, the afore-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a debris guard for a rain gutter which can be attached to an existing open-type gutter or which may be fully integrated with a newly fabricated gutter.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a debris guard for attachment to a gutter substantially of the type which includes an open channel portion formed from a front face, a rear face substantially opposing said front face and a lower face interconnecting said front face and said rear face at or near respective lower edges thereof, said debris guard comprising: a cover panel of a width substantially complementary to the width of said open channel portion of said gutter and of a length sufficient to enclose a required section of said open channel portion, a front panel depending substantially downwards from a front edge of said cover panel and adapted to be affixed at or near said front face of said gutter and wherein the rear edge of said cover panel, substantially opposed to said front edge, is adapted to be affixed in position at or near said rear face of said gutter, wherein said front panel is adapted to direct any rain water flowing off of said cover panel into said channel portion while substantially preventing the passage of debris into said channel portion. 20 For any building construction which is new or being renovated and to which a rain gutter has yet to be attached, said debris guard can be integrated with that rain gutter. 4 2016216739 20 Aug 2016

Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rain gutter, said rain gutter comprising: a channel portion having a front surface, a rear surface substantially opposing said front surface, a lower surface interconnecting said front surface and said rear surface at or near respective lower edges thereof, and a substantially solid upper surface substantially opposing said lower surface interconnecting said front surface and said rear surface at or near respective upper edges thereof, wherein said front surface is adapted to direct rain water flowing from said upper surface into said channel portion while substantially preventing the passage of debris into said channel portion.

Preferably, said front panel or said front surface includes at least one opening having a downwardly projecting tab therein, said tab angled towards said rear panel or said rear surface.

Preferably, said front panel or said front surface includes a multiple of said 15 opening.

Preferably, said multiple of said opening are spaced apart substantially along the entire operable length of said front panel or said front surface.

More preferably, said multiple of said opening are evenly spaced apart.

Preferably, said multiple of said opening are in linear alignment. 20 Preferably, said front panel or said front surface includes a plurality of rows of said opening in said linear alignment. 5 2016216739 20 Aug 2016

More preferably, each said opening from a said row is in staggered alignment with respect to a said opening from an adjacent said row.

In a first embodiment of said debris guard, said rear edge of said cover panel is adapted to create a flange or the like by which said debris guard can be affixed to said rear face of said gutter.

In a first preference, said flange extends substantially upwards and is adapted to be affixed to a facia board or the like of a building.

In a second preference, said flange extends substantially downwards and is affixed to said rear face.

In a third preference, said downwardly extending flange is attached to a platelike member, wherein overlapping portions of said flange and said plate-like member are simultaneously adapted to be affixed to said rear face of said gutter and wherein an upper portion of said plate-like member is adapted to be affixed to a facia board or the like of a building.

In a first option of said debris guard, there can be provided at least one bracing 15 member to brace said channel portion.

Preferably, said bracing member is plate-like which is a frictional fit between said front edge of said cover panel and said respective lower edges interconnecting said rear face and said lower face of said channel portion.

Therefore, as a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a debris 20 guard assembly, said assembly comprising: a said debris guard as hereinbefore described; and 6 2016216739 20 Aug 2016 at least one of said bracing member as hereinbefore described.

In an embodiment of said rain gutter, said upper edge of said rear surface extends upwardly to create a flange by which said rain gutter can be affixed to a facia board or the like of a building.

In a first option of said rain gutter, said rain gutter includes a fitting to which a hose can be attached to enable said channel portion to be flushed through with water to remove any debris or the like that may have accumulated therein.

In a second option of said rain gutter, said rain gutter includes a removable end cap to allow any said debris accumulated therein to be flushed out thereof.

In a third option of said rain gutter, said lower surface of said rain gutter is adapted to be affixed to a facia board or the like of a building.

In said third option, one or more brackets may be provided, each of said brackets being adapted to be affixed to said facia board or the like while supporting said lower surface.

In a fourth option of said rain gutter, there can be provided at least one bracing 15 member to brace said channel portion.

Preferably, said bracing member is plate-like which is a frictional fit between said front edge of said upper surface and said respective lower edges interconnecting said rear surface and said lower surface of said channel portion. 7 2016216739 20 Aug 2016

Therefore, as a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rain gutter assembly, said assembly comprising: a said rain gutter as hereinbefore described; and at least one of said brackets and/or at least one of said bracing member as hereinbefore described.

Optionally, said debris guard assembly or said rain gutter assembly includes at least one blanking plate or the like to substantially blank off the entrance from said channel portion to any relevant downpipe while said channel portion is being cleaned of any accumulated debris therein.

The debris guard and rain gutter of the present invention and any associated bracket(s), bracing member(s) and blanking plate(s) can be manufactured from any suitable material known in the art, including steel, aluminium, plastic and timber.

The present invention provides a mechanism whereby an existing gutter can be modified, or a newly fabricated gutter can be constructed, to maintain 15 ingress of rain water to the gutter while significantly reducing the accumulation of windblown debris therein.

Therefore, as a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of collecting rain water in a roof gutter by the use of a debris guard as hereinbefore described. 20 As a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of collecting rain water from a roof by the use of a rain gutter as hereinbefore described. 8 2016216739 20 Aug 2016

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a first embodiment of said debris guard affixed to an existing gutter; FIG. 2 illustrates a section of a second embodiment of said debris guard affixed to an existing gutter; and FIG. 3 illustrates a section of said rain gutter.

With reference to FIG. 1, a debris guard (19) is retro-fitted to a typical prior art gutter (20) which comprises an open channel portion (21) formed from a front face (23), an opposing rear face (24) and a lower face (25). The debris guard (19) has a cover panel (26) slightly wider than the width of the channel portion (21) and covering the required length of the gutter (20). A front panel (27) depends from the leading edge of the cover panel (26) to overlap with the front face (23) of the gutter (20), secured thereto by rivets (28). The trailing edge of the cover panel (26) extends to form a flange (29). The flange (29) includes 15 a plurality of bores (30) through which a fastener such as a nail or screw can pass through to affix the debris guard (19) to a facia board (31) of a building. The debris guard (19) is affixed to the facia board (31) to angle downwards from the facia board (31) towards the front panel (27). The angle selected will affect the rate of flow of rain water over the surface of the cover panel (26) but, 20 typically, will be in the range 8-10 degrees. The front panel (27) includes two linear rows (32,33) of evenly-spaced openings (34). Each opening (34) includes a tab (35) extending downwards and inwardly towards the rear face (24) of the gutter (20). Each opening (34) from row (32) is in staggered alignment with the adjacent openings (34) from row (33). 9 2016216739 20 Aug 2016

In use, the front panel (27) is affixed to the front face of an existing gutter (20) and the flange (29) is affixed to the facia board (31) at the required angle. Rain water runs off the roofing material onto cover panel (26), down the front panel (27) and onto the front face of the tab (35) and then into the channel portion (21). Each opening (34) presents a relatively small open horizontal cross-sectional area which allows rain water to pass through but substantially prevents the passage therethrough of any leaves or other debris from the roof which simply fall to the ground. The angle of the cover panel (26) essentially determines the speed of the rain water over the cover panel (26) as required to assist its collection through the openings (34) into the channel portion (21).

With reference to FIG. 2, the gutter (20), open channel portion (21), front face (23), rear face (24), lower face (25), cover panel (26), front panel (27) and rivets (28) are as described above with reference to FIG. 1. Similarly, the two linear rows (32,33), openings (34) and tab (35) are as described with reference to FIG. 1. The trailing edge of the cover panel (26) extends to form a flange (36) which extends downwards towards the open channel portion (21). The flange (36) is attached to a plate member (37) via a plurality of bores (38) common with bores in the flange (36) through which a fastener such as a rivet can pass securing the lower region of the plate member (37) and flange (36) to the rear face (24) of the gutter (20). The upper region of the plate member 20 (37) is affixed to a facia board via a plurality of bores (39) through which a fastener such as a screw can pass. The dimensions and relative orientation of the flange (36), cover panel (26) and plate member (37) are selected to angle the cover panel (26) downwards from a facia board towards the front panel (27). The angle selected will affect the rate of flow of rain water over the 25 surface of the cover panel (26) but, typically, will be in the range 8-10 degrees.

In use, the front panel (27) is affixed to the front face of an existing gutter (20) and the flange (36) and plate member (37) are affixed to the facia board at the ίο 2016216739 20 Aug 2016 required angle. Rain water runs off the roofing material onto cover panel (26), down the front panel (27) and onto the front face of the tab (35) and then into the channel portion (21). Each opening (34) presents a relatively small open horizontal cross-sectional area which allows rain water to pass through but substantially prevents the passage therethrough of any leaves or other debris from the roof which simply fall to the ground. The angle of the cover panel (26) essentially determines the speed of the rain water over the cover panel (26) as required to assist its collection through the openings (34) into the channel portion (21).

Now referring to FIG. 3, a rain gutter with integrated debris guard (1) comprises a channel portion (2) formed from a front surface (3), an opposing rear surface (4), a lower surface (5) and an opposing upper surface (6). The upper edge (7) of the rear surface (4) extends to form a flange (8). The flange (8) includes a plurality of bores (9) through which a fastener such as a nail or screw can pass through to affix the rain gutter (1) to a facia board of a building. The upper surface (6) is angled downwards from its intersection with the flange (8) to the upper edge (10) of the front surface (3). The angle selected will affect the rate of flow of rain water over the surface of the upper surface (6) but, typically, will be in the range 8-10 degrees. The front surface (3) includes two linear rows (11,12) of evenly-spaced openings (14). Each opening (14) includes a tab (15) 20 extending downwards and inwardly towards the rear surface (4). Each opening (14) from row (11) is in staggered alignment with the adjacent openings (14) from row (12). A brace (16), substantially rectangular in shape, is of a dimension to be a frictional fit between the intersection of the front surface (3) and the upper surface (8) and the intersection of the rear surface (4) and lower 25 surface (5). Any number of required braces (16) can be spaced along the operable length of the channel portion (2). If required, additional support for the rain gutter (1) can be provided by a separate bracket (17) of a length sufficient to support the lower surface (5), with one end (18) adapted to be 11 2016216739 20 Aug 2016 secured to a facia board and the other end (19) adapted to abut a section of the front surface (3).

In use, the rain gutter (1) is affixed to a facia board or the like adjacent to the lower edge of the roofing material as is typical in the art. Rain water runs off the roofing material onto the upper surface (6), down the front surface (3) and onto the front face of the tab (15) and then into the channel portion (2). Each opening (14) presents a relatively small open horizontal cross-sectional area which allows rain water to pass through but substantially prevents the passage therethrough of any leaves or other debris from the roof which simply fall to the ground. The angle of the upper surface (6) from its intersection with the flange (8) to the upper edge (10) of the front surface (3) essentially determines the speed of the rain water over the upper surface (6) as required to assist its collection through the openings (14) into the channel portion (2).

The present invention thus offers a number of advantages which include: the absence of an open upper portion of a rain gutter significantly reduces the accumulation of any debris therein that may be flushed from a roof by rain; can be retro-fitted to an existing gutter or be integrated with a newly fabricated gutter; the rain gutter can be adapted to render any cleaning thereof simpler 20 and easier; customised clips, brackets or hangers are not an essential requirement for its installation; and 12 2016216739 20 Aug 2016 additional bracing and supporting brackets can readily be incorporated for installation in more demanding climatic regions, such as cyclonic areas.

The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are only exemplifications of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims (34)

1. A debris guard for attachment to a gutter substantially of the type which includes an open channel portion formed from a front face, a rear face substantially opposing said front face and a lower face interconnecting said front face and said rear face at or near respective lower edges thereof, said debris guard comprising: a cover panel of a width substantially complementary to the width of said open channel portion of said gutter and of a length sufficient to enclose a required section of said open channel portion, a front panel depending substantially downwards from a front edge of said cover panel and adapted to be affixed at or near said front face of said gutter and wherein the rear edge of said cover panel, substantially opposed to said front edge, is adapted to be affixed in position at or near said rear face of said gutter, wherein said front panel is adapted to direct any rain water flowing off of said cover panel into said channel portion while substantially preventing the passage of debris into said channel portion.

2. A debris guard as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said front panel includes at least one opening having a downwardly projecting tab therein, said tab angled towards said rear panel.

3. A debris guard as defined in Claim 2 wherein, said front panel includes a multiple of said opening.

4. A debris guard as defined in Claim 3 wherein, said multiple of said opening are spaced apart substantially along the entire operable length of said front panel.

5. A debris guard as defined in Claim 4 wherein, said multiple of said opening are evenly spaced apart.

6. A debris guard as defined in Claim 5 wherein, said multiple of said opening are in linear alignment.

7. A debris guard as defined in Claim 6 wherein, said front panel includes a plurality of rows of said opening in said linear alignment.

8. A debris guard as defined in Claim 7 wherein, each said opening from a said row is in staggered alignment with respect to a said opening from an adjacent said row.

9. A debris guard as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein, said rear edge of said cover panel is adapted to create a flange or the like by which said debris guard can be affixed to said rear face of said gutter.

10. A debris guard as defined in Claim 9 wherein, said flange extends substantially upwards and is adapted to be affixed to a facia board or the like of a building.

11. A debris guard as defined in Claim 9 wherein, said flange extends substantially downwards and is affixed to said rear face.

12. A debris guard as defined in Claim 11 wherein, said downwardly extending flange is attached to a plate-like member, wherein overlapping portions of said flange and said plate-like member are simultaneously adapted to be affixed to said rear face of said gutter and wherein an upper portion of said plate-like member is adapted to be affixed to a facia board or the like of a building.

13. A debris guard assembly, said assembly comprising: a debris guard as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 12; and at least one bracing member to brace said channel portion.

14. A debris guard assembly as defined in Claim 13 wherein, each of said at least one bracing member is plate-like which is a frictional fit between said front edge of said cover panel and said respective lower edges interconnecting said rear face and said lower face of said channel portion.

15. A debris guard assembly as defined in Claim 13 or Claim 14 which includes at least one blanking plate or the like to substantially blank off the entrance from said channel portion to any relevant downpipe while said channel portion is being cleaned of any accumulated debris therein.

16. A rain gutter, said rain gutter comprising: a channel portion having a front surface, a rear surface substantially opposing said front surface, a lower surface interconnecting said front surface and said rear surface at or near respective lower edges thereof, and a substantially solid upper surface substantially opposing said lower surface interconnecting said front surface and said rear surface at or near respective upper edges thereof, wherein said front surface is adapted to direct rain water flowing from said upper surface into said channel portion while substantially preventing the passage of debris into said channel portion.

17. A rain gutter as defined in Claim 16 wherein, said front surface includes at least one opening having a downwardly projecting tab therein, said tab angled towards said rear surface.

18. A rain gutter as defined in Claim 17 wherein, said front surface includes a multiple of said opening.

19. A rain gutter as defined in Claim 18 wherein, said multiple of said opening are spaced apart substantially along the entire operable length of said front surface.

20. A rain gutter as defined in Claim 19 wherein, said multiple of said opening are evenly spaced apart.

21. A rain gutter as defined in Claim 20 wherein, said multiple of said opening are in linear alignment.

22. A rain gutter as defined in Claim 21 wherein, said front surface includes a plurality of rows of said opening in said linear alignment.

23. A rain gutter as defined in Claim 22 wherein, each said opening from a said row is in staggered alignment with respect to a said opening from an adjacent said row.

24. A rain gutter as defined in any one of Claims 16 to 23 wherein, said upper edge of said rear surface extends upwardly to create a flange by which said rain gutter can be affixed to a facia board or the like of a building.

25. A rain gutter as defined in any one of Claims 16 to 24 which includes a fitting to which a hose can be attached to enable said channel portion to be flushed through with water to remove any debris or the like that may have accumulated therein.

26. A rain gutter as defined in any one of Claims 16 to 25 which includes a removable end cap to allow any said debris accumulated therein to be flushed out thereof.

27. A rain gutter assembly, said assembly comprising: a rain gutter as defined in any one of Claims 16 to 26; and one or more brackets, each of said brackets being adapted to be affixed to said facia board or the like while supporting said lower surface.

28. A rain gutter assembly as defined in Claim 27 which includes at least one bracing member to brace said channel portion.

29. A rain gutter assembly as defined in Claim 28 wherein, each said bracing member is plate-like which is a frictional fit between said front edge of said upper surface and said respective lower edges interconnecting said rear surface and said lower surface of said channel portion.

30. A rain gutter assembly as defined in any one of Claims 27 to 29 which includes at least one blanking plate or the like to substantially blank off the entrance from said channel portion to any relevant downpipe while said channel portion is being cleaned of any accumulated debris therein.

31. A method of collecting rain water in a roof gutter by the use of a debris guard as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 12.

32. A method of collecting rain water in a roof gutter by the use of a debris guard assembly as defined in any one of Claims 13 to 15.

33. A method of collecting rain water in a roof gutter by the use of a rain gutter as defined in any one of Claims 16 to 26.

34. A method of collecting rain water in a roof gutter by the use of a rain gutter assembly as defined in any one of Claims 27 to 30.